“Where did he come from? I thought you said no one else was in the store?” I turn toward the owner.
“He didn’t come in through the front door. This is the second time I have ever seen this guy! I swear! He came in about a week ago. I was suspicious of him at first, but he never came in again, so I didn’t have to worry.” Jack trembles as he speaks.
“Suspicious? Next time someone is suspicious, you call us, and we will look into it. Even if you don’t see them again. I want to know about it!” I bark.
“Yes, sir.”
Sighing, I close my eyes before Jack and I turn back toward the computer and continue to watch. The male figure kicks the door in, and we watch him pull out a syringe. We can’t see what he does, but we watch him pick up Brooke and head out the back door.
“Are there any cameras in the back of the gas station?” I ask.
“No, I’ve been meaning to get some, but haven’t yet,” Jack replies.
I let out a huff, running my hands over my face. “You copy that video and send it to Phantom. I’m going to go check the bathroom.” I walk off before I can hear his response.
I walk past the multiple aisles and toward the women’s bathroom. I knock on the door and hear nothing, so I turn the handle and push it open, stepping into the bathroom. I look around. Something flashes, and I turn my head to see Brooke’s phone lying on the ground.
18
BEAR
Ipick up Brooke’s phone and leave the bathroom, walking past Jack and out of the gas station.
“Did you find anything?” Gears asks.
“I’ll tell everyone at the compound,” I yell, climbing onto my bike.
Quickly, I speed down the road to the clubhouse. Anger boils in me as I think about someone taking Brooke. Who would want to take her?
Ink, Gears, and I hop off our bikes and rush toward the club entrance. I slam the door open, and it hits the wall. Everyone’s eyes are on me as I walk through the door.
“What’d you find?” Pres asks, standing.
“Someone took Brooke! Her cell phone was lying on the bathroom floor.” Anger laces my voice.
“Did you get the surveillance tapes?” Phantom pipes in.
“The owner sent them to you already,” Gears announces, sitting at the table.
Phantom quickly opens his computer and starts typing. I sit in front of Phantom and watch him work.
“What do we know so far?” Pres asks.
“The person who took her is a white male around thirty years old. Jack said he’s never seen the guy before,” I grunt out. “Phantom, run his facial recognition and dig into Brooke’s past to see how they are connected.”
“On it!” Phantom replies.
“I knew Brooke was running from something. She is too skittish and shy around us. Heck, around anyone. I saw her in town once, and she was shy with other people,” Pres says, sitting next to me.
“I got something!” Phantom yells, catching all of our attention.
“What is it?” I grunt out.
“His name is Jared, and he broke out of prison a week ago. He was in for attempted murder by arson. Give me one second to find out his relation and how he got out,” Phantom says while still typing.
“He set her on fire?!” I yell, jumping up. “Who just sets someone on fire?”
“An abusive dick. That’s who,” Phantom mutters.
